Automatic cage lock
First Claim
1. An automatic cage lock for securing a cage within a cage and rack system, comprising:
- a mounting bracket having a base and a support arm, said support arm having a docking channel defined therealong by at least one docking tab;
a rail guide disposed on said docking tab, said rail guide having an angular orientation and forming said docking channel;
a lock assembly slidably disposed within said docking channel for movement along said docking channel whereby adjustment of said automatic cage lock accommodates various cage sizes and lengths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic cage lock for securing various cages in a ventilated cage and rack system. The automatic cage lock facilitates the securing of a cage within the cage and rack system when a user slides the cage into the cage and rack system until the cage fully passes the locking finger component of the automatic cage lock. The cage may be easily unlocked by applying a small amount of pressure to the locking finger while simultaneously grasping the cage for removal. A color-coded indicator block may be disposed on the end of the lock assembly; the indicator block may be hidden by an indicator shield when the cage is securely docked in the rack. Conversely, the indicator block may be visually exposed when a cage is present in the rack but not fully docked within the rack. The indicator block provides a clear indication to a user as to the docking status of the cage.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. An automatic cage lock for securing a cage within a cage and rack system, comprising:
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a mounting bracket having a base and a support arm, said support arm having a docking channel defined therealong by at least one docking tab;
a rail guide disposed on said docking tab, said rail guide having an angular orientation and forming said docking channel;
a lock assembly slidably disposed within said docking channel for movement along said docking channel whereby adjustment of said automatic cage lock accommodates various cage sizes and lengths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An automatic cage lock for securing a cage within a cage and rack system, comprising:
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a mounting bracket having a base and a support arm, said support arm having a docking channel defined therealong by at least one docking tab;
a rail guide disposed on said docking tab, said rail guide having an angular orientation and forming said docking channel;
a lock assembly slidably disposed within said docking channel for movement along said docking channel whereby adjustment of said automatic cage lock accommodates various cage sizes and lengths; and
a flexing lock member for securing the cage in the cage and rack system having a member deflector to automatically deflect said flexing lock member away from the cage during insertion of the cage into the cage and rack system. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for automatically securing a cage into a cage and rack system, comprising:
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a cage and rack system having a plurality of cage bins disposed therein;
a cage for housing an animal, said cage being selectively insertable within said cage bin; and
an automatic cage lock fixably mounted to said cage and rack system comprising a mounting bracket having a base and a support arm, said support arm having a docking channel defined therethrough by at least one docking tab;
wherein said automatic cage lock having a rail guide disposed on said docking tab, said rail guide having an angular orientation which forms said docking channel; and
wherein said automatic cage lock further having a lock assembly slidably disposed within said docking channel for selective movement through and along said docking channel, selective movement of said lock assembly which allows longitudinal adjustment of said cage lock to accommodate various cage sizes and lengths. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An automatic cage lock for securing a cage within a cage and rack system, comprising:
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a mounting bracket having a base and a support arm, said support arm having a docking channel defined therethrough by at least one docking tab;
a rail guide disposed on said docking tab, said rail guide having an angular orientation and forming said docking channel;
a lock assembly slidably disposed within said docking channel for movement along said docking channel whereby adjustment of said automatic cage lock accommodates various cage sizes and lengths; and
means for securing said support arm to said lock assembly to prevent sliding therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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- 43. An automatic cage lock for securing a cage within a cage and rack system, comprising a flexing lock member for securing the cage in the cage and rack system having a member deflector to automatically deflect said flexing lock member away from the cage during insertion of the cage into the cage and rack system.
Specification